On Cringila Hill Read Free Page A

get through her points before he can object.
    â€˜You are down as being “on leave” so anything you did would be from unallocated resources, which is how this would need to proceed. Any time you could give it … an hour here, two hours there … I’d have you regarded as on duty for a day and recredit a day of your sick leave. That’s all I can do, but I can do that.’
    â€˜Who would be your local liaison?’
    â€˜Peter Grace.’
    A pause. ‘I’m surprised you’d want that.’
    â€˜I don’t, but it’s the way it’s worked out. I could maybe have it changed but that might cost me a lot more than it’s worth in the overall scheme of things. A homicide team will probably be led by Sean O’Shea, detective sergeant, solid man, but that would be nothing to do with you. You’d report to me, how it all was going, whether there was something building in Cringila, whether any situations are being manipulated.’ She pauses. ‘I’d be able to trust what you told me. You wouldn’t be putting together any nasty parcel of surprises for me to unwrap. I wouldn’t ask this unless it was important. Abdul Hijazi – it might be crucial – how this plays out. I’ve got David Lawrence here with me. I can send him up to Austinmer to collect you. Now, if you like.’
    He waits awhile, until he knows what he’s compelled to do. ‘Send him. I’ll get ready.’
    When he turns May is at the doorway to the kitchen. Her arms are folded and she’s scowling at him. ‘Tell me I didn’t hear you say what you just said.’
    â€˜May …’
    â€˜Gordon. The weather!’ She shakes her head bitterly. ‘Tell me,’ she says. ‘What can you do for me? What is the best gift you can give me? I’ll tell you. Get bloody better . Get better . So I can just get on with the other issues I have to deal with, which happen to be considerable, as I’d hoped you’d have noticed.’
    â€˜May …’
    She gives a sort of snarl and goes back into the kitchen, but then she comes to the doorway again. She says, ‘You know why you’re doing this.’
    â€˜Well …’
    â€˜Edna has said “roll over” and you think you might get your tummy tickled.’
    â€˜I doubt she’ll be able to do much for me. I think The Boys are going to get her.’
    â€˜That doesn’t matter to you. It’s not the rewards. It’s praise ! It’s praise from someone in an important job. It’s what you live for.’
    He shrugs. He says, ‘I’ll take it easy. I won’t walk very much.’
    He makes his way into their bedroom, lowers himself slowly to sit on the bed, looks forlornly at his lace-up shoes against a wall. There’s water in a glass on the bedside table and a sheet of foil with ridges where tablets are held. In a quick movement he removes a lozenge, washes it down with a drink. With eyes closed he waits then for the pain to dull. When he blinks them open May is in the room watching him.
    â€˜You’ve taken a pill,’ she says, accusing. ‘It isn’t time. It isn’t nearly time.’
    â€˜It’s really hurting, May.’
    â€˜Yes, and it’s so unfair, isn’t it? You take such good care of yourself!’
    She kneels, removes his slippers, places shoes on his feet and laces them, brings a white shirt, tie, jacket, heavy coat from the wardrobe. She dresses him slowly, with difficulty. Gordon is determined not to grunt no matter what pain he experiences. As she adjusts his trouser legs he says to her stooped head, ‘I love you, May.’
    â€˜Oh, Gordon. Gordon, I know you do. That’s not it. That’s not the issue.’ She rises. ‘Tea will be ready.’
    After the tea he fetches an umbrella and his walking cane and makes his way onto the verandah. Black bunches of leaves toss under the